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Cocktail History
The Christmas Gin Mule is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created for La Crosse Distilling Company’s Christmas Gin, a limited edition spirit flavored with blackcurrant and released at the holidays. The recipe balances the bitterness of the gin with a homemade apple cinnamon syrup, which adds a touch of sweetness and warmth perfect for the holiday season. Lime juice and ginger beer then round out the drink, bringing a zesty freshness that complements the rich, spiced gin. This festive take on the Moscow Mule is a delicious, holiday-ready variation ideal for winter gatherings.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Ginger Beer: This is a carbonated beverage made with ginger spice, yeast, and sugar. I used Q Mixers Ginger Beer.
Blackcurrant Gin: This is a spirit made with blackcurrant gin, juniper berries, botanicals, alcohol, and water. I used La Crosse Distilling Company Christmas Gin.
Apple Cinnamon Syrup: This is a sweetener made with apple cider, cinnamon sticks, white sugar, and water. I used this sous vide recipe.
Lime Juice: This is the tangy liquid extracted from the flesh of limes. I used fresh lime juice.
Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.
Rosemary: This is an aromatic evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, piney, and slightly peppery flavor.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.
Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.
Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. I used the Anchor Hocking Manchester Rocks Glass.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Vibrant red-pink color
• Aroma: Rosemary and ginger
• Taste: Spicy ginger flavor accented with apple, baking spices, and tart berry
• Finish: Citrus bite and more effervescent ginger
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “Creating a recipe around a new spirit can be hit or miss and makes the cocktail hard to replicate if the ingredient isn’t widely available, but this one is absolutely incredible thanks to La Crosse Distilling Company’s fabulous blackcurrant gin. The deep tart flavors pair so beautifully with the apple and baking spices, and they aren’t too bitter even though the gin certainly is on the bitter side. I could talk about this cocktail all day, but I’ll leave it at you definitely need to try the Christmas Gin Mule right away if you come across a bottle of this fabulous gin or one like it.”
Recipe
Christmas Gin Mule
The Christmas Gin Mule is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created for La Crosse Distilling Company's Christmas Gin, a limited edition spirit flavored with blackcurrant and released at the holidays. As is implied by the name, the recipe is a variation of the classic Moscow Mule template that tempers the bitterness of the spirit with the sweetness of a homemade apple cinnamon syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer.
Ingredients
Method
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Add gin, apple cinnamon syrup, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a lowball glass over fresh crushed ice.
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Top with ginger beer.
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Garnish with rosemary sprig and cranberries.
